Genetic Studies

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Genes are inherited and direct the growth, development and functions of your body. For example, some genes control the color of your hair or eyes. Cells in your body contain a type of molecule called deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA for short. DNA is what your genes are made of. There are many differences, or variations, in DNA from one person to another. These variations may affect a person’s chance of suffering from a particular disease or the way a person responds to a particular drug.

The blood samples collected for DNA information will be used to analyze the way genes may relate to 1) how investigational therapies are absorbed, broken down and eliminated from the body, 2) how they affect the body and 3) how DNA relates to human disease.

It is thought that several genetic factors contribute to NASH and NAFLD. If you agree to take part in this genetic study, your genes will be studied to identify a relation between NASH and NAFLD and certain parts of DNA. In the future, this research may provide doctors with alternatives to liver biopsy for the diagnosis of NASH and NAFLD and for monitoring the progression of liver disease. This genetic research may also help researchers to develop drugs for the treatment of NAFLD and NASH.

If you give us permission, a sample of your blood will be used as a source of DNA to study the genetic reasons for NASH and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Also, some of your sample will be saved for future genetic research related to NASH, NAFLD and also for future liver research that may not be related to NAFLD.